How to Get There
Pondicherry is connected by road to Chennai and Bangalore. It does not have a functioning domestic airport. So if you are planning to fly in you should get a flight to Chennai, which is about 160 kms from Pondicherry, and then get to Pondicherry by road. Bangalore is at about 350 kms from Pondicherry. A number of bus and taxi services ply on both routes. Chennai also has a train connection with Pondicherry, and Bangalore is expecting one soon.
If you are driving out, it takes about two hours from Chennai, and about five hours from Bangalore. If you are coming to Pondicherry for a weekend, driving out from Chennai is a good option, however, if you are coming in from Bangalore, you are probably best off catching an overnight bus.